BARNSLEY’S bid to become the country’s first ‘Town of Culture’ has received backing from its three MPs after the council confirmed the bid - made up of multiple organisations - is in the offing.
A sister project to the long-running City of Culture initiative, the idea aims to put the UK’s towns on a pedestal for a year to showcase what they are about and the work that’s been done to revitalise them in recent years.
Barnsley Council, the Civic, Barnsley Community and Voluntary Services, Gary Clarke Company, the National Trust’s Wentworth Castle Gardens, ArtWorks South Yorkshire and Yorkshire Sculpture Park have all expressed their support and will front the bid.
These organisations will now be working together to prepare and submit an expression of interest to the government to begin the process of bidding for Town of Culture status.
All are in favour of pursuing a bid due to the town’s recent renaissance thanks to its £200m Glass Works regeneration, the Health on the High Street scheme, its first-in-the-country ’Tech Town’ status and its ongoing regeneration of County Way - amongst its ‘rich’ cultural offerings across the borough.
Although backing has already been given by council leader Sir Steve Houghton, who lauded the town’s turnaround despite being hit by squeezed budgets, the town’s three MPs - Barnsley North’s Dan Jarvis, Barnsley South’s Stephanie Peacock and Penistone and Stocksbridge’s Marie Tidball - all agreed with the bid.
Dan told the Chronicle: “Barnsley folk usually crack on without making a fuss but we’re absolutely right to make some noise and enter the Town of Culture competition.
“We’ve got a proud industrial heritage and a future full of potential thanks to our strong and forward-thinking council.
“Our award-winning markets are raising our profile nationally, and Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Barnsley Youth Choir are promoting our town’s culture on the world stage.
“There’s lots more in the town that I could mention, too.”
The winning town will secure up to £3m in government funding and host a year-long programme of cultural events in 2028.
Stephanie added: “Barnsley would make a brilliant Town of Culture and I am really pleased that the council has expressed an interest in this excellent new competition.
“Whether it be our vast industrial heritage, the brilliant redesign of our town centre or the outstanding home-grown talent in Barnsley, we have so much to celebrate.
“I wish Barnsley Council the very best of luck in taking this forward.”
The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.
Three finalists - one small, one medium, one large town - will be chosen and the winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028.
Marie said: “I fully support the bid to make us the UK’s Town of Culture for 2028.
“Our beautiful, historic town has an exceptionally strong case for being named as the first.
“In my constituency, from being the home to the founding fathers of the modern association football, to nearly 650 years of Penistone Grammar School - one of the oldest in the country - and our iconic art deco-style Penistone Paramount, we have a huge amount to celebrate.
“This would put it firmly on the cultural map.”
A residents’ survey is open until next Sunday and can be accessed on the council’s website.
Torri Crapper, general manager for South Yorkshire at the National Trust , said: “There is something special about Barnsley, from the stories that shaped our past, to the stories which will be shared about our town, culture and people in the future, the National Trust here at Wentworth Castle Gardens are excited to support Barnsley’s bid to become the UK Town of Culture.
“Alongside partners across our cultural organisations, makers, poets and creatives we look forward to helping shape a bid which highlights our shared past and celebrates the rich cultural heritage across Barnsley.”
